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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 8, 2006 Incumbent Mike Winters faces challenger Tim George in a race for Jackson County Sheriff that has seen the candidates draw distinct differences in how they would run the department. BEYOND THE BADGE Winters cites accomplishments; George says department could be run better By chris conrad Mail Tribune The two men gunning for Jackson County's highest law enforcement office disagree on just about every aspect of the job, from battling drugs to operating an effective jail. Sheriff Mike Winters, a 20-year veteran of police work, hopes voters will be swayed by his record of fewer traffic fatalities, more deputies responding to calls and aggressive efforts to eradicate marijuana and other drugs. But challenger Tim George, a Medford police lieutenant with more than 29 years on the force, has lobbed strong accusations of cronyism and short-sightedness against his opponent. George says if elected, he would ensure more cases are investigated, that drug eradication is followed up with arrests and that deputies are better trained and work more closely with other agencies. "It's nothing personal," George said. "The citizens should be concerned over the leadership at the sheriff's department." Winters said he stands by his record. Among his accomplishments, he cites the county's drop in traffic fatalities as his finest. Advertisement According to county records, fatal crashes have fallen from 45 in 2004 to 32 last year. So far in 2006, there have been 13 deadly accidents countywide. Winters projects 15 for the year. "Our traffic team has done so much to make the roads safer," he said. "It works when you get deputies to aggressively enforce traffic laws — deputies who in the past issued warnings instead of (writing tickets)." Winters cemented his commitment to patrols after buying new cars and painting them a distinctive green and white soon after he was elected. George said increased patrols under Winters haven't led to more arrests of intoxicated drivers. County records show the sheriff's department responded to 30 percent fewer reports of driving under the influence from 2004 to 2005. "If you want to keep the roads safe, you have to work DUIIs," George said. George said if he's elected sheriff, he will bulk up the detective bureau by possibly putting deputies from the traffic team back into patrol and either promoting or hiring one or two investigators. "That way you could keep the same number of patrols and follow up on cases," he said. Drug war Perhaps this election's most contentious issue is drug enforcement. George claims the sheriff was responsible for what he describes as the demise of the Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team, a multi-agency force that investigated and prosecuted large drug cases. "The JACNET model was outdated," Winters said. "But we still have people working JACNET, but every other agency pulled out." Sheriff's deputies have adopted a strategy of stopping drugs as they move up and down county roads and highways. Winters said criminals realized how JACNET worked and began importing drugs from out of the area instead of producing methamphetamine in the Rogue Valley. Retired JACNET commander Dewey Patten, a George supporter, criticized the sheriff's abandoning the task force. "Criminal intelligence has gone by the wayside at the sheriff's office," Patten said. "We need a coordinated effort to get drugs off the streets." Winters said the recent pulling of 44,000 marijuana plants by deputies from the county so far this year shows his commitment to fighting drug cartels. His department and several other agencies were awarded congressional commendations. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden will present the awards Oct. 16 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. In George's mind, however, such operations are ineffective unless arrests are made. "(Winters) is hung up on dope weight and not investigating cases," George said. "He thinks a long-term strategy is getting lucky with interdiction traffic stops on the roads." Clearing drugs from the streets involves more than interdiction, George argued. "Interdictions are just one piece of the puzzle. There's an education piece and an enforcement piece where you're focusing on criminal conduct," George said. If elected, George said he would try to create a multi-agency task force to fill the void left by JACNET. Winters deflected the blame for downsizing JACNET by holding that Medford police pulled their investigators from the task force earlier this year. George said the department pulled their officers because the task force was closing. "They agreed to commit three people and never replaced anyone," Winters said. "I had to reorganize what was left to me." Jailing criminals Two years ago, close to 3,000 inmates were released from the Jackson County Jail because of overcrowding. That number was cut in half last year. And so far in 2006, only 342 were freed early, according to county documents. To offset the releases, Winters began shipping inmates awaiting trial to other jurisdictions such as Josephine and Yamhill counties. "They can house inmates cheaper," Winters said. "They can put them up for around $55 a day, which is a couple dollars cheaper than us." Former sheriff Bob Kennedy said this move was unnecessary considering Winters closed an 85-bed Talent jail in 2003, which Kennedy argues could have helped house inmates in Jackson County. The facility has since reopened as a nonsecure work center for offenders preparing for life on the outside. "We actually had two jails in Talent, one an 85-bed facility, the other a 60-bed facility," Kennedy said. "But Winters closed them down to free up money to use for new patrol cars." George doubts that transporting inmates to other counties saves taxpayers money. "You may want to consider the cost of fuel, the deputies' time and the man hours it takes to transport," he said. But the sheriff stands by his decision. If he is re-elected, inmates will continue spending time in other jails because it saves thousands of dollars, Winters said. He also noted the Talent jail was fully funded by the state when it opened in 1997 but reductions were going to cause a $100,000 shortfall, forcing the department to close it, Winters said. "I work for the taxpayers," Winters said. "The Talent jail is poorly designed to be used as a medium-security facility. This is the cheapest way to do business." George agrees that fewer forced releases are good for the county, but he warns voters not to forget the recent past when making their decision Nov. 7. "He was the sheriff for the past three years and he put this county at risk allowing 3,000 a year to be released," George said. "This didn't become a priority until people like me began screaming about it in 2003." Former Ashland police chief Vic Lively has nothing but praise for Winters, who worked his way up to sergeant during Lively's tenure. "Mike is a super police officer," Lively said. "He has certainly carried out what he promised to do. He put everybody he possibly could in uniform and out in the county." Medford police Detective Terry Newell, who has worked in Medford for 24 years, said George's experience as a patrol officer and detective make him a solid leader. "He is an integral part of all our major investigations," Newell said. "He knows what to expect from every officer because he's been there himself." Winters, a self described "workaholic," said he has enjoyed the last four years, but has spoken about the stress of defending himself from detractors during the election. "I don't take any of it personal," he said. "I expect to be doing this job as long as people want me and I can continue to contribute." Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. 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